Historic Wheatley Methodist Protestant Church is believed to be the nation’s oldest American Methodist church with a continuously active congregation worshiping in its building. After a five years of careful preservation work, the church celebrated its 240th anniversary in 2024. The church was built in 1784, according to a story from the Star Democrat, “to be a ‘preaching house served by clergy of those people called Methodist.’ The building, constructed of heavy old-growth timber framing secured with wrought nails, has existed since one year following the end of the American Revolution and five years prior to George Washington becoming the first elected American president.” Historic Wheatley Methodist Church stands near the corner of Route 313 and Wheatley Church Road in northern Dorchester County, Maryland’s Fork District, on land King George II granted to a William Wheatley during the early 18th century.
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